Nick Sent on 03/23/2025

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An Unforgettable Experience at The Hawthorne Hotel

An Unforgettable Experience at The Hawthorne Hotel
We had the most wonderful experience hosting our rehearsal dinner, welcome reception, and farewell brunch at The Hawthorne Hotel, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our choice! From start to finish, every aspect of the service, food, and ambiance was absolutely perfect. The hotel’s vintage charm was exactly what we envisioned for our wedding weekend, and it provided the perfect setting for all of our events.
The food was a highlight of our weekend. At the rehearsal dinner, we had the Chicken Milanese entrée, which was a huge hit with our guests. So many people mentioned how much they loved it, and the entire meal was delicious and beautifully presented. The service throughout all of our events was impeccable, and the wait staff was friendly and attentive, making everyone feel welcome and cared for.
One of the things we loved most about the Hawthorne Hotel was how perfectly it fit our aesthetic for the wedding weekend. The vintage character of the hotel gave everything a timeless, elegant feel, and it was the ideal backdrop for our celebrations, even though our wedding and reception were off-site.
We absolutely adored the hotel’s library space, which hosted our farewell brunch. The cozy, intimate atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a relaxed and meaningful gathering with our closest family and friends. The space was beautifully decorated, and it truly set the tone for a lovely, laid-back morning after the big day.
Our hotel suite was equally impressive. It was spacious, comfortable, and the perfect place to unwind after a busy weekend. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and we both enjoyed a restful night’s sleep. It was a great retreat for us during such a busy time and offered everything we needed for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
A huge thank you to our amazing events coordinator, Beth Pasquarello. Beth was an absolute gem throughout the entire process. She was incredibly responsive, helpful, honest, and caring. We never felt out of the loop, and she was always there to offer advice and solutions. One great example of her attention to detail was when she helped us secure a microphone for the rehearsal dinner, ensuring everything went smoothly. Her professionalism and personal touch made the entire experience so much easier and stress-free.
If you’re looking for a beautiful, historic venue with fantastic service, delicious food, and a truly memorable atmosphere, we highly recommend The Hawthorne Hotel. Thank you again for making our weekend so special!

Lily Sent on 12/14/2023

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Most amazing venue!

Getting married at the Hawthorne Hotel was a dream from start to finish! The ballroom is a gorgeous location for a winter wedding and the venue and hotel staff were nothing but kind and professional throughout the process. We had a great experience with Karen as our coordinator and she made sure every detail of our day was executed just how we wanted. Our friends and family also loved the experience and ease of staying at the same place as the wedding venue. We ended up doing our welcome party at another location in Salem because we wanted our guests to explore more of the city but after seeing how organized and wonderful events are at Hawthorne I wish we had done more pre-wedding events here. We’ve gotten a lot of compliments about the food served and it was an amazing value in my opinion, especially when you consider how much is included in the wedding package. I never thought I would end up going the all-inclusive package route and was planning a more DIY wedding, but because Hawthorne was so reasonable we ended up with the most INCREDIBLE florist & wedding cake vendors. They don’t require you to use their preferred DJ/bands but we ended up going with one of them and it was one of the best vendors we worked with. It seemed like everything kind of fell into place with our wedding planning after we booked the Hawthorne, and my husband and I are so happy we made the decision to have our wedding there.

27668A663F7A659A9377946209Cba664D54Eb66A Sent on 10/29/2023

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Perfect venue & team

Our wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel was absolutely amazing! I cannot recommend this venue enough. The packages they offer are excellent and the team is top notch! Christine was an amazing coordinator, helping us throughout the year leading up to the wedding to answer questions, make suggestions, provide options, and ensure us that the day would go smoothly. The week before the wedding, we dropped off all our items (signs, favors, table decor, etc.) and did a walk through on every part of the day from getting ready to the close of the reception. We walked through all our items and she made sure to understand the setup/vision we wanted. The day of ran so smoothly with Christine and Elena checking in periodically but otherwise seamlessly running the day so my husband and I could enjoy. People could not stop talking about how beautiful the venue was, how amazing the food was, and how much fun they had!

Samantha Sent on 10/05/2023

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My dream venue!

I got married on 9/23/23 and if I could give the Hawthorne 100 stars I would! This gorgeous hotel was the absolute perfect venue for our wedding weekend. I held my rehearsal dinner, Chinese tea ceremony, cocktail/reception, and farewell brunch there and all the events turned out perfect. We received so many compliments from our guests raving about how delicious the food was, to how beautiful and timeless the venue is and how comfortable the beds were.

The entire staff at the Hawthorne were professional, helpful, and extremely friendly. Karen who was with me through the entire planning process was spectacular to work with! She answered all my questions and concerns (and trust me I had a lot of questions), constantly stayed in communication with me, and overall made me feel at ease. Beth made sure my room block was all set and even got us to check-in early! Alaina and Ari were true rockstars as they were boots on the ground making sure everything was set up and running smoothly. Cece and Tyler at the front desk were able to assist with many misc. requests and questions we had during the weekend (thank you for all the water bottles!).

We had the best wedding team at the Hawthorne, and I cannot thank them enough for making my wedding a dream come true!

Grant Sent on 04/16/2023

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Beautiful venue

As soon as we had our first visit to the Hawthorne, we knew that it was where we wanted to host our wedding. We worked with Karen O'Kane who guided our planning process and was always extremely prepared, often anticipating the questions that we had and answering the other ones we threw at her. She was fantastic the day before and the day of the wedding, working with us and our vendors and ensuring that the night went to plan and smoothly. She and all of the service workers who helped us and our guests during the rehearsal dinner and the wedding were fantastic. We had a smaller wedding of about 40 guests, and the Sophia room was absolutely perfect for both the ceremony and the reception--it never felt cramped and it never felt empty, so we highly recommend for folks with similar sized weddings. We love the hotel and area and plan to come back every year. Highly recommended!

Shannon Sent on 12/26/2022

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Simply the best!

After getting married last month (11/05/2022), we cannot recommend the Hawthorne enough. Not only is it a gorgeous wedding venue in the heart of Salem, but the entire process and event itself was so wonderful. All of the staff at the Hawthorne are remarkable and so accommodating, but Karen O'Kane in particular was phenomenal and just always went above and beyond. From the very beginning of planning to the day of, she was on top of everything, kept us in the loop, responded to all of our questions and concerns, and made the big day go off perfectly...even reminding us to sit down and eat dinner at some point! In addition to the amazing venue and staff, the food was also fantastic! We are still hearing from friends and family about how remarkable the whole event was, and we couldn't agree more. We had a perfect wedding at the Hawthorne, and we will absolutely be back!

Emily Sent on 07/14/2022

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6.18 wedding

Emily & Josh- Boston, MA
The Hawthorne Hotel was the perfect wedding venue for us. From the moment we walked into the Hawthorne we knew it was the venue we wanted. From the ballroom, to the tavern, and the ability to have a room block for people to stay and make a weekend out of it, and it surpassed any and all expectations. From the first time to view the venue all the way through the planning process to the big day,our coordinator Beth Pasquarello and her team were professional, accommodating, flexible, thoughtful, and extremely helpful.

I can’t speak more highly of Beth and have already recommended her to anyone who is looking to have their wedding in the greater Boston area. She was with us every step of the way– stepping up and helping us with our roomblock (which was tough for a while with reservations, only downfall), creating a timeline, meeting with us multiple times, and most importantly working with our budget. She gave us expert advice and when I had talked with/ showed her all the decor during our last detail appointment she made it look absolutely incredible and better than I could have ever imagined. I had stressed that I felt the little details were important (very detail oriented person) and she respected that and really made sure that everything was perfect.

She moved everyone along throughout the day and made really great use of the space allotted to vendors as well as our decorations. What our guests absolutely loved was that they were able to see and experience every room that the Hawthrone had to offer– from the two rooms upstairs, to the library for brunch the following day, ballroom for dancing, and welcome drinks in the tavern our guests were in awe. I cannot stress how wonderful Beth is and how much we appreciate her for bringing our vision for our wedding to life.

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Elizabeth Sent on 11/15/2021

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Flawless experience at the Hawthorne

Having our wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel was a dream. We had a smaller wedding (~65 people) and booked Sofia's for both the ceremony and the reception. The space was gorgeous and exactly what we needed for a more intimate wedding. We worked with Karen, who was outstanding. She was always very responsive to my questions and concerns, and the day-of went off without a hitch thanks to her planning and organization. We received endless compliments about everything, from the food to the room. I would highly recommend the Hawthorne, Sofia's, and Karen to anyone looking for a stunning North Shore wedding.

Catherine Sent on 09/13/2021

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Legendary Service, beautiful location!

We met Karen at a wedding Expo in Jan.2020 and we knew that the Hawthorne Hotel have the character, the beauty, the location setting that fit our dream wedding! What we found out over the following two years, as we had to postpone our wedding two times during the pandemic, was that their attention to detail was impeccable. Their desire to take the best care of us and our guests was a priority. The quality and presentation of their food was incredible! The wedding package was not only affordable but it came with so many top quality referrals. Through them we found our florist, our amazing transportation, and our wedding cake that was pure perfection! Every last detail they covered to following every request we had, to giving suggestions to save money and how to handle the changing restrictions during the pandemic. They were flexible, professional, courteous and amazing during the whole process! We chose to hold our rehearsal dinner and our reception here and a lot of our guests stayed overnight here. The place with its history, beauty, and the way they run every detail so smoothly I definitely recommend putting this place at the top of your list! Thank you to all of the staff and Chef at the Hawthorne Hotel! They gave us a royal feeling at the same time making us feel right at home! Cathy

Kendra Sent on 09/06/2021

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Above and Beyond, Wedding day of our dreams

Do you want a wedding where you have to worry about nothing? Do you want to have every single detail thought out of carefully? Do want expertise and high class service? Then pick the Hawthorne. Karen, Aliana and Christine and staff made our special day the best day of our lives. Our guests where flabbergasted by the level of service, incredible food and careful detail that was put into the event. The historical ambiance paired with the exceptional service made the whole day an affair to remember. My Husband and I will go back every year to remember our amazing experience. Whether you are staying there for the night, hosting an event or just going there for dinner, you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend and I am a picky person.

Gillian Sent on 09/01/2020

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What an incredible team!

My husband and I can’t say enough about the wonderful team at The Hawthorne Hotel. Everyone we interacted with was so incredibly genuine and warm, as well as supportive and patient with us and our families as we planned our wedding day.

Like so many other couples, in early March of 2020, we quickly realized that the day we originally had planned wasn’t going to work, and that we’d need to change our wedding due to COVID-19. The team at The Hawthorne was unbelievable in supporting us in making this decision. They helped us navigate through the process, and really made it clear that they had our best interests at heart.

We look forward to working with the team in the future, and are so grateful for their support to date. Thank you so much, to the team at The Hawthorne Hotel!

Michelle Sent on 12/13/2019

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Our Wedding at the Hawthorne was Perfect!

The Hawthorne Hotel was the perfect wedding venue for us in every way! From the moment we walked into the Hawthorne for the first time to view the venue all the way through the planning process to the big day, the Hawthorne staff were professional, accommodating, flexible, thoughtful, and extremely helpful. When we asked for guidance as we planned our wedding, they helped every step of the way providing expert advice. We also appreciated the inclusive wedding packages, which included wedding cake and floral center pieces. The Hawthorne really knows how to do weddings, and I was grateful that we didn't worry about a thing on our wedding day. This is mostly because of June Jennings, our day of coordinator from the Hawthorne, who was amazing. From the historic venue to the great food and experienced staff, we are so glad we got married at the Hawthorne. June and the hotel took great care to make sure everything was perfect, and it truly was!

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Caitlin Sent on 07/19/2019

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Hawthorne Hotel, Salem MA

Beautiful venue with a wonderfully accommodating staff and enchanting atmosphere.

Daniel Sent on 06/10/2019

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Excellent Experience

The Hawthorne Hotel's ballroom is a beautiful location for a wedding ceremony and/or a wedding reception and the events staff is amazing. We worked with Karen O'Kane to plan our special day and she was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable, responsive and super easy to work with. In fact, we ended up booking our rehearsal dinner and a farewell breakfast through the hotel as well because it was so much easier working with her, than with other potential vendors in the area. Not to mention that the food at all of our events at the hotel was fabulous! We had an excellent experience working with the Hawthorne all around and would highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a great venue.

Rachel Sent on 01/20/2019

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A Memorable Evening

From planning in the beginning to the actual wedding day everything was perfectly planned and coordinated by the Hawthorne Hotel. Our coordinators Karen, Alaina, and Paola were professional, friendly, and ensured that the night would be perfect. The food & beverages were excellent and the waitstaff that served were also professional and attentive. Many of our guests had food allergies or restrictions which were handled with the utmost care from the waitstaff to the kitchen to the front desk. Having not been from the area it was very helpful that they provided a preferred vendor list which is where we acquired our DJ and Florist both of which were phenomenal. We highly recommend the Hawthorne and look forward to going back on our anniversary. Thank you to everyone for making the 21st night of September just as memorable as the Earth, Wind & Fire song!

Christina Sent on 10/28/2018

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Outstanding in every way!

The Hawthorne Hotel had the most delicious food we could have asked for at our wedding day. We decided to use them since they were the preferred caterer at the PEM, and are so happy we did. From the amazing tasting experience, to the spectacular food the night of the wedding, we could not have been more pleased. In addition to the food being phenomenal, Julia was extremely responsive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. We were so happy with their communication and professionalism that we decided to hold our “farewell brunch” the morning after the wedding and have a room block there, and it was absolutely perfect. Ryan helped us accommodate our large number of guests and was extremely professional. We received countless compliments the night of the wedding and brunch in regards to how friendly the waitstaff was and how delicious the food was. My husband and I would highly recommend the Hawthorne Hotel for any event!!

Danielle Sent on 10/13/2018

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My mom selected the Hawthorne Hotel for a pre-wedding dinner for 20 people. It was such a great choice. We had a private dining room with a buffet. The staff was so great to work with and the food was excellent.

Melissa Sent on 06/25/2018

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Perfect wedding venue!

Our wedding day went perfectly thanks to the staff at the Hawthorne Hotel! The room was beautiful, every moment from The Months of planning to the last dance went smoothly and easy! Our day was beyond perfect! We are especially happy with the care and attentiveness we received from both Julia and June, our coordinators through the whole process! Our guests are still raving about how beautiful everything was and especially how amazing the food was! They also were flexible working with us to alter some of the accommodations allowing it to fit our budget

Allyse Sent on 05/14/2018

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I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding View. Everyone at the Hawthorne Hotel was amazing. Christine Madigan made sure my wedding was the happiest day of my life!

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Allison Sent on 12/13/2017

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We recently had our wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel on December 3rd 2017. IT WAS THE BEST WEDDING!!! The staff here is so accommodating and they care about you and your guests. I had the pleasure of working with June Jennings and Liz Dube for the planning of our wedding and they treat you like family. They were prompt to last minute changes, all food and beverage questions, all hotel accommodating and so much more! The food comes out for the reception HOT! Everyone at our wedding kept complimenting on how good the food was an that it was nice and hot and not sitting. They were blown away with the ballroom and how big it was and how vintage the place feels. I even got pictures taken with June and Liz because they made sure this all happened even when I was stressed! It feels like home when you walk in and that's why we picked them. The pricing is VERY affordable and they work with you for what you're looking for. There is so much to do as well in Salem and I promise you won't regret having the best day of your life there!

Marie Sent on 11/12/2017

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My husband and I recently had our wedding reception at the Hawthorne Hotel. Our first meeting with Karen to figure out what we wanted to do and how to go about it put us at ease immediately. We knew at that moment that we had made the right choice. All the staff, including Karen and Christine, were very key in helping us prepare for our wedding party. The day of the event, all staff, including the wait staff. were just incredible. They were very attentive to all our needs, very pleasant, helpful and frankly superb. The food was incredibly delicious! Everything was just to die for.

Susan, who worked with us the day of, was incredible! She made sure we were at ease and she was in control of everything. We couldn't have asked for a better party, a better day, a better spot. People are still talking about the event, particularly the food and the service provided. Everything was all that we wished for and more. Absolutely beautiful!!!

Thank you so much to you and your staff for the hospitality and making our event a memorable one.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.

Alicia Sent on 10/24/2017

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We planned a long distance wedding, as my husband is in the military and we were stationed down South. Karen, Christine, Ryan, and Liz really worked hard to accommodate everything we asked for-and we asked a LOT of questions. Our special day could not have gone smoother thanks to the hotel staff and the rooms in which we stayed (as well as those booked by our guests) were amazing. We were so happy to have our guests all stay in the same building and we really had the best day!

Douglas Sent on 10/18/2017

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We used the Hawthorne Catering for our Reception at the Peabody Essex Museum, and we also used them for our farewell breakfast in the Hawthorne's Sophia's Banquet Hall. We worked primarily with Julia Saccone in planning everything and she was amazing: helpful with her suggestions, flexible as parameters changed, incredibly responsive to questions, and she worked fluidly in concert with Natalia at the Museum. The food was delicious, the servers, bartenders, and coordinators were absolutely on point and so very nice! I don't think we could have asked for a better reception. At the breakfast, the food was very good (and hearty after a night of dancing and wine!), the buffet kept stocked, and the coffee filled at table by the servers. We also had a room block at the hotel, which, short of a 5am fire alarm that was out of their control, was great. We had a suite for the wedding night and stayed in a regular room the first night, and the staff made the new room up for us 6 hours ahead of the regular check-in. Finally, when my step-father found himself with a party of 10 family members looking for lunch on a busy October day, the hotel staff pushed together some tables in the breakfast room and accommodated them on the fly! In, short, we could not be happier with our choice. We did the wedding package, which was a good deal for what we wanted. Most important, we've had numerous guests tell us the wedding was one of the favorite ones that they have been to, and the caterer is a big part of that!

Jessica Sent on 03/05/2017

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It was a wonderful experience working with the Hawthorne Hotel and I couldn’t be happier with how our wedding turned out. From the initial call to schedule an appointment until the final day before the wedding, they answered every single question and kept me informed of what I should be doing and what still needed to be done. We meet 3 times before the big day and we are from out of town so they worked around our crazy schedule. They gave us suggestions when needed and a list of referred vendors which we used the limo and bakery which were amazing as well. On the day, everything ran completely smoothly and stress-free. The staff was friendly, flexible and able to accommodate any needs that arose. We couldn’t be happier with the decision to hold our wedding reception at the Hawthorne Hotel.
During the wedding I loved the fact you could throw the bouquet from the second story window into the ballroom and it made it very memorable. The large park next door added a beautiful view out ballroom windows and provided the perfect place for group photos. In addition, the coordinator was always there guiding us if needed and keeping the evening flowing perfectly.
The Hawthorne is a great place for a wedding because of how beautiful and historic the hotel is but also because the city of Salem sparks with personality. Relatives from out of town loved it because they had stuff to do during the day and were not too far from Boston. Friends and family were able to walk nearby for lunches and dinners while staying in Salem for the weekend. Salem has a diverse bar scene, ample museums and other points of interest that made the whole weekend a joy for friends and family even in the middle of February.

Kerry Sent on 01/26/2017

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We had our rehearsal dinner in the Pickman room upstairs with a buffet style dinner. The food was absolutely amazing and the staff were great! I worked with Laura and Christine to set it all up and they were awesome to work with.

James Sent on 12/15/2016

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We had our wedding at the Hawthorne this past fall, 10/15/16. We booked it almost a year and a half in advance, so if you plan on having you wedding here we suggest you do the same! There is a reason this place books so quickly and that is because of the quality of service you recieve. The staff at the Hawthorne were so accomadating and quickly answered any questions we had along the way. Laura Abraham-Long was especially helpful along the entire process, she was well organized, prepared for any questions we had, and reassuring with any concerns or decisions we had to make. Saying Laura was the best is simply an understatement! Jennifer Kelly was very helpful with our room block, and worked very hard to make sure we were able to accomadate our closest guests at the Hawthorne during its busiest time. Our Function Coordinator Liz Dube was an angel the day of our Wedding. She made us feel so comfortable and STRESS FREE THE DAY OF and made sure everything went exactly how we wished. The entire staff made the whole wedding planning process stress free and they also allowed us to feel comfortable monatarily as well. Planning a wedding obviously can be very expensive and the people at the Hawtorne worked hard for us to meet our goals while not going too crazy in our budget, which is a very nice touch to a market that makes you feel like they only care about your cash! All in all we highly recomend you book your wedding at The Hawthorne Hotel. I know everyone says their wedding was perfect and the place they had it was perfect, but the hawthorne goes so much beyond just the wedding day. They make you feel like a celebrity the entire process and truley make your special day amazing. Every one of our guests were blown away at how well they coordinated the wedding and the services they provide. Thank you so much to everyone at the Hawthorne, again especially Laura, Jennifer & Liz. You guys were amazing and we couldn't have pictured a better experience. Thank you!

Marielle Sent on 12/08/2016

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My husband and I had an amazing time at our wedding ceremony, reception and breakfast at Hawthorne Hotel. We worked with Karen O'Kane and Christine Madigan and our day of coordinator, June Jennings. From the moment we expressed interest in Hawthorne through to our breakfast brunch, all of our questions were answered immediately and with such kindness and understanding for our budgetary limitations. Karen executed our vision perfectly - she answered all questions and spent a lot of time making sure we were happy with our decisions. She was so organized and made the process much easier than it would've been elsewhere. Their list of recommended vendors was also incredibly helpful. We were blown away by the atmosphere Hawthorne provided and the impeccable service. The night before our wedding we had a rehearsal and we still had a lot of decisions to make regarding the ceremony and reception. June helped us work through these important decisions with such patience, we were really grateful for that. The day of our wedding, June was very easy to communicate with and coordinated everything beautifully. We and our guests were so thrilled with our accommodations at the hotel as well. The food was incredible and everything went seamlessly. Thank you Hawthorne for such a wonderful experience!

Sarah Sent on 11/20/2016

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I had my wedding here recently. I can't saw enough how wonderful it was!! Here is a little background on how we decided on the Hawthorne as our venue:

The majority of our guests were coming in from out of town, and so we wanted to give them a little "destination" to experience. With Boston being too expensive for weddings (not to mention hotels being $300 a night), we wanted a place affordable for our guests but also different and interesting. I had stayed at the Hawthorne for work years prior, and so it literally came to me one morning on the train to look at it as a venue. My husband and I both did not grow up in MA, so the wedding venue search can get overwhelming! They offer a nice package as well (they include guest table flowers, the cake, the wedding night suite in the hotel, etc). So after our tour, and a Saturday night date opening up, we booked!

The planning process with them was good, or as smooth as something as large as planning a wedding can go! I had A LOT of questions of the sales staff and Laura, our coordinator always came through and was very helpful. They tasting was very fun as well, they invite all couples getting married the following season to a large tasting event and you can sample everything from wine, to entrees, to cakes.

As I mentioned most of our guests were coming in from out of town, and Ryan in room reservations helped out tremendously with making sure our room block ran smoothly and our guests were taken care of. Thank you Ryan!

The wedding day went so great, it really exceeded all of our expectations. The hotel staff is INCREDIBLE. They are so pleasant and make things easy. I have not found this level of customer service very often at other place

Jonathan Sent on 11/17/2016

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What an amazing venue! It was the historic charm and reputation that brought my husband and me to consider the Hawthorne Hotel for our wedding, and it was the thoughtful care, hospitality, and professionalism of the staff that made it easy to say ‘yes!’ to it. Laura (our Wedding Coordinator) was an absolute dream to work with. Her insights and suggestions were invaluable to getting the best value for our wedding, and her careful guidance kept us focused on what we needed to do (which wasn’t much – the Hawthorne takes care of a lot!). When it came to the wedding day, Liz kept everyone moving, focused, and on task. The wait and beverage staff took exceptional care of us and all our guests; hors d’oevres and drinks were constantly being rotated out amongst the guests during cocktail hour. Dinner service was exceptionally delicious, and our food was expertly prepared and delicious. Our wedding day was truly perfect from start to finish and it absolutely would not have been as wonderful and memorable if we did not have it at the Hawthorne.

Laura Sent on 10/12/2016

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From the first time my husband and I met with Laura Abraham-Long, we knew our wedding day would be perfect, and it was! Laura was always in constant contact with us and answered every one of my questions, no matter how mundane they were. The hotel itself is gorgeous and the entire staff the night of the wedding was so helpful and went above and beyond. We would not have had such a successful night without Liz, our day of coordinator. She was integral in making our day run smoothly and effortlessly. From the moment I stepped into the Hawthorne that evening, I had no anxieties, because everything was taken care of, and she made sure every detail was perfect. The catering, the service, and the quality at the Hawthorne is amazing while still being affordable. I highly recommend the Hawthorne Hotel!

Karen Sent on 10/10/2016

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The Hawthorne Hotel was amazing from start to finish with coordinating our wedding. Laura couldn't have been more detail oriented and was always sure to put every bit of extra effort into all of our very specific requests, and we know dealing with two brides is double the challenge!! Our emails and calls were always returned immediately and any concerns we had work quickly put to rest. On the morning of the wedding we had planned to have our ceremony outdoors away from the hotel. We woke up and it was raining out. Laura called my bridal suite on her day off from work first thing in the morning to ask me if we wanted to move our ceremony inside. We didn't even think this was an option such last minute. She truly saved the day. Laura and our coordinator for the day, Liz, worked tirelessly and within less than a two hour timeframe were able to magically pull off moving our entire ceremony inside. Including all of the personal extra touches that we had planned for our outdoor ceremony and made sure that everything went seamlessly. Our guests were amazed. Our room was exquisite and all of our decor was pulled together perfectly by Liz. She ran around for us all day attending to any need that we could possibly have. We truly had no worries on the day of our wedding and everything was taken care of for us before we even could think about it. Our wedding was truly vintage glam and whimsical. It looked like a photo from the inside of a magazine. We were flooded with compliments throughout the entire day from friends and family. This day could not have been more perfect. Thank you Laura and Liz and the Hawthorne Hotel. Love the newly weds, Karen & Elisa

Nina Sent on 10/04/2016

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We got married at the Peabody Essex Museum in July of 2016 and the Hawthorne Hotel was our caterer, as well as hosted a farewell breakfast for us and our guests. We blocked rooms at the Hawthorne and many of our guests stayed there. There are so many wonderful people that work at the hotel. Laura Abraham Long was our catering manager and overall superwoman! I can not say enough wonderful things about Laura. She is extremely knowledgeable about what she does. She has great ideas and suggestions. I took all of her suggestions and could not have been happier. She even helped pick out our table linens and colors. She went above and beyond what I was expecting to get from a catering manager, I trusted her completely and she helped make our wedding and the months leading up to it a smooth ride. Liz Dube was our day of coordinator and she is just as fabulous as Laura! She was always right there asking if we needed anything. Liz even went to find a pair of pliers during our wedding to fix the bustle on my dress- without me even asking! Everything went exactly as we wanted because of the wonderful staff at the Hawthorne. The food was delicious, and coming from a family of chefs we can be a little hard to please. The food at the farewell breakfast was awesome too! The staff was always attentive and we had a great time. Everyone that stayed at the hotel loved it! We have zero regrets in using the Hawthorne Hotel and I highly recommend them to everyone! You will not be disappointed.

Debra Sent on 10/02/2016

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My daughter got married in June at the Hawthorne Hotel. From the minute we walked in we knew this was the venue for us. The atmosphere and the staff were as close to perfection as you could get. The food was beyond delicious. Working with the the staff and their suggestions for flowers and music is the way to go. However, none of this would have come to fruition with the amazing Laura Abraham Long, Senior catering manager. Laura was my constant go-to for ten months. Laura walked me through every step with grace and professionalism. She answered every question and email promptly and without judgement. (I had some pretty crazy mother of the bride questions) ! Never once did Laura make me feel as though I was a bother. If you are fortunate enough to choose The Hawthorne and work with Laura, I guarantee you will have your dream wedding. I have a friend for life.

Whitney Sent on 09/27/2016

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I cannot express how wonderful the Hawthorne Hotel was for my wedding day! Every single request was met without a hesitation. The hotel is absolutely gorgeous and I was able to have my wedding ceremony as well as my reception there. They flipped the ballroom without a hitch! My guests LOVED the convenience, and the delicious food of course! The staff was phenomenal as a whole, but I have to specifically mention how amazing it was to work with Laura Abraham Long. Laura made myself and my family feel as though they we were her only clients. She was available to answer all the crazy questions we had, and never once made us feel like we couldn't go to her for guidance. She is just fabulous, and if you can work with her and the other amazing staff members at the Hawthorne, consider yourself blessed. She truly made my wedding extra special.

Lana Sent on 05/14/2016

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The Hawthorne Hotel was the perfect venue for our wedding ceremony and reception. The hotel provided a beautiful setting for the event as well as for our photos. We also appreciated being able to take photos on the common across the street. The appetizers and dinners were delicious and the kitchen accommodated a number of different dietary restrictions. Most of our guests also stayed overnight which was extra fun. Many spent the weekend exploring Salem and no one had to drive after the party.

We are so happy with our decision to get married at the Hawthorne. Everyone has been telling us how much they loved the experience. From our first meeting with Laura Abraham-Long until the day of the wedding, we appreciated the great communication, professionalism, and care that the Hawthorne staff put into our event. On top of all of this, the Hawthorne packages are an amazing value. I cannot recommend this venue enough.

Justin Sent on 03/08/2016

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We could not have asked for a better venue and a more helpful, attentive, organized, and friendly staff.

Everyone at the Hawthorne helped make our dream wedding a reality. I'd highly recommend this venue to anyone getting married in the New England area.

Quick background on our wedding: my wife and I decided to have a fairly traditional wedding ceremony and an 80's themed reception. Laura, our coordinator at the Hawthorne, loved the idea and was so enthusiastic in helping us make the most of it.

We had a lot of specific plans for decorations, music, the cake, etc., and Laura recommended the perfect vendors to meet our needs. She also kept us on the ball when it came to deadlines in the months leading up to the big day.

The day before the wedding, Laura and our day-of coordinator, Liz, helped us with a very thorough run-through of all the details, and Liz was there the next day to make sure everything ran smoothly.

The waitstaff, bartenders, front desk staff, etc. were all very helpful and friendly as well.

Our ceremony took place in the large, beautiful ballroom, and then the guests were brought upstairs to a spacious lounge area for cocktails while the ballroom was flipped for the reception.

This all went so smoothly, and it was great having it all happen in one place – no need for shuttles or any between-venue logistics. Even the after party was in the Tavern accessible through the main lobby.

Another huge plus was that so many things were covered in the wedding package. This limited the number of vendors we had to deal with and allowed us to spend time focusing on nailing the 80's themed party and not worrying about all the small details. Also, the food – prepared by the Hawthorne catering staff – was delicious!

I really can't say enough about the Hawthorne. Of course, this day was going to be unforgettable for us no matter what, but the fact that the venue was so great and the staff was so helpful made it that much more special.

Sok Sent on 01/13/2016

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It has been a month since my wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel, and I wish we could do it all over again.
The Hawthorne Hotel was the only venue my husband and I looked at. We didn't have to look any other place after the first visit to the hotel. We loved everything about it and loved the fact that the package made it easy for us to plan our wedding.
The biggest thanks we owe is to Lindsay Otis and Christine Madigan. I honestly don't know what I would have done if they weren't answering every single question and concern I had. They were prompt and very responsive and always very helpful. The day of the wedding went off without a hitch. Minus the fact I was about 30 minutes late :) Lindsay made sure that myself and my husband were okay throughout the night. She was right by our side making sure that we had everything we needed and that we enjoyed ourselves.
Honestly, I say this again, I really wish I could have my wedding all over again. The Hawthorne Hotel was everything we wanted in a location and so much more.

User2470612 Sent on 12/16/2015

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The Hawthorne Hotel was an amazing venue for our wedding and we are so glad that we chose it! From the very first time we met Karen (Director of Catering), we were blown away! She has been at the Hawthorne for 30+ years, which truly helped with the planning process as she knows all of the ins and outs of planning weddings at the hotel! She is so professional, attentive and kind. She genuinely cared & did everything she could to make our wedding day perfect, and it truly was! Liz, the wedding coordinator at the hotel is also unbelievably kind and professional - she made sure everything went smoothly & stress-free the day of the wedding and we can't thank her enough! The planning process was so easy and the suggested vendors (Flowers by Darlene & Montilio's Bakery) were amazing! From the minute we checked in on Friday until check out on Sunday ALL of the staff was so unbelievably accommodating and friendly. So many of our guests called or emailed us after the wedding to say how delicious the food was, and what a great venue the Hawthorne is, which it is truly is! I would absolutely recommend the Hawthorne Hotel to any couple, our wedding day was truly perfect & we wouldn't have changed a thing!

Linda Sent on 10/24/2015

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We recently had our daughters wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel and what a beautiful wedding it was!! The staff was so friendly and accommodating through out the whole wedding weekend.
The giant pumpkin and the hot apple cider in the lobby added to the beautiful fall atmosphere of the place.
Lindsay was great to work with through the whole planning process. She was always available to answer any questions or concerns and took care of things right away. She was amazing.
Our friends and family are still talking about what an incredible wedding it was. The food was plentiful and delicious. The bartender was very cordial and busy!!!
We had a Farewell Breakfast for our guest the morning after the wedding and it was absolutely beautiful and the food was excellent! The hostess was great.
We would like to thank everyone at the Hawthorne especially Lindsay, Christine, Liz, Ryan and Claire for all their efforts in making our daughter's dream wedding a reality and their wedding weekend so memorable.
I highly recommend the Hawthorne Hotel for any function or celebration!!!

Krystle Sent on 10/09/2015

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I had my wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel and loved it. We had the ceremony & reception in the ballroom and both were beautiful. The wedding manager we had was Liz and she was awesome. She was very helpful and calming. She played a major role in how smoothly the whole event went. Many guests told us how delicious the food was. When we sat down at the sweetheart table, the catering manager immediately brought out hot dinner plates for us. The whole staff team was very accommodating the entire night.

Kathryn Sent on 09/08/2015

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The Hawthorne Hotel provided the catering for our wedding at the PEM in Salem and we cannot say enough amazing things about the team for not just helping to create our spectacular wedding night, but also being helpful, responsive, creative and fun the entire year leading up to the night. The method through which Lindsay and her team work made our job wedding planning a breeze. Regarding the food and drink, I think we received a comment from just about every one of our guests who RAVED over ALL of the food - we had the stuffed chicken with mushroom risotto and the sea bass with lobster risotto for our main courses. The food seemed to be a lot more than most weddings we've attended with the number of courses provided. They were also very helpful when it came to working with us to provide our vegan and allergy guests with delicious meals as well. The bar ran very smoothly too with Lindsay's recommendations for additional bartenders, as well as her suggestion to pass wine during cocktail hour. The communication with our photographers and DJ beforehand and during was amazing and helped the outcome to be as great as it was. We (and our parents) could not be happier with the space and the service over all.

User2296928 Sent on 09/01/2015

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The Hawthorne Hotel was the caterer and the hotel of choice for sleeping accommodations. Lindsay Otis and her staff were absolutely amazing. From the first email to the day before the reception they were on their game. I cannot even explain how much they did for us. When I walked into the reception the night of my wedding I was so taken back by how perfect it all was. I felt like I had set up the room on my own because everything was just as I wanted it. They walked through all my thoughts and concerns and made the night perfect. I want to do it all over again because it was such a beautiful night!

Michael Sent on 07/23/2015

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We had high expectations. They were exceeded!!!
Even our 'foodie' friends were effusive on the presentation of all the courses - lobster bisque; tenderloin, or sea bass with lobster risotto (yum); chocolate covered cappuccino ice cream/fresh fruit with wedding cake. The staff was incredible (Lindsay, Claire) in their attention to detail, their creativity, their honest-to-goodness caring, and good cheer! The hors d'oeuvres were well presented, incredibly delicious, as well as creative. The charcuterie 'table' was even better than we could have imagined, and always well attended/stocked/cleaned. The serving staff was helpful, courteous, and always on the spot. I cannot imagine (and I have a good imagination) that anything could have gone better.

Christen Sent on 06/16/2015

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There are not enough words to describe how amazing the staff at The Hawthorne Hotel was at catering and planning my Wedding. i hired them as my Caterer but i didn't expect to get a full fledged Wedding planner along with it! Lindsay my event coordinator did the most outstanding job! Not only was the food phenomenal, the stay at the hotel so pleasant and convenient but the day of the Wedding when there was so much to do Lindsay had already done everything!!! I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING! She was so professional and so on top of everything! The staff at the Hawthorne made my special day more perfect than i could have ever imagined! I highly recommend them to anyone in the area!

Gia Sent on 05/05/2015

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I can honestly say that my wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel was the best experience of my life.
They were accommodating, they were on top of everything, organized, extremely friendly staff, and all round a magical place to be in. I can't be happier. The honest and only downfall was I was sad when it was over. I wish I could go back and relive every moment. Also there suggestions for vendors were fantastic as well. We used the limo (which was lovely, the driver was so sweet), Flowers by Darlene (they came out gorgeous), Cakes for all Occasions (people still keep coming up to be and saying how it was the best cake they ever had) and the food (to die for!). They even made amazing food to accommodate me (a vegan). Lindsay, Christine and Jessica were great! They were in constant contact with me before the wedding and always by my side during the wedding to keep me on schedule. I would recommend them to anyone who wanted to have an amazing time =)

Alexis Sent on 03/17/2015

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In the beginning my husband and I were arguing over a large or small wedding. When we went to the hotel originally to just look around we saw they actually were able to accommodate just about any size we wanted because they have three rooms you can choose to rent. Part of the appeal of the hotel was they take care of a lot of thing(I was a lazy bride). A cake was included in our package we just had to go and taste our options and pick one. Also the food tasting and placesetting options, table clothes ext. were all done in one night. Since they have a large number of people do the tasting at once we were able to try all the meal options. It was great! In the end we went with the small wedding and used the back room Sophia's. It was perfect. We were able to fit a bar, a dance floor big enough to accommodate our Greek dancing with a few greek musicians and 60 guests. We are hoping to use them for a baby shower when the time comes.

Cassandra Sent on 12/21/2014

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We used the Hawthorne hotel for catering for our wedding at the PEM as well as for a brunch the following day. Lindsay and her staff were excellent. Leading up to the wedding they always responded immediately and made the planning process effortless. The day of my wedding Jessica was the coordinator and she was wonderful. We had the perfect day and everything went as planned. Thank you!

Jessica Sent on 10/24/2014

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All of our guests are saying that they had the most fun at our wedding of all of the weddings they have been to! The food is incredible, the wedding coordinator Liz was on top of everything, and the room was set up even more beautiful than I could have imagined! I knew they had everything under control, which made me probably the least stressed bride of other brides I have known. Everything went off perfectly and the quality is beyond compare. I wish all of my friends would get married here, so that we could keep coming back!

Kerri Sent on 10/16/2014

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We selected the Hawthorne Hotel as the venue for both our ceremony and our reception, and could not be happier with the decision. After reviewing many (many!) venues, the Hawthorne stood out for the value of the services offered. We had heard so many times that weddings there were beautiful and just so much fun, and we were not disappointed. Our cocktail hour was held in a smaller room upstairs from the ballroom, allowing the ballroom to be turned from ceremony to reception. This space allows for small or larger groups to gather, room to sit at tables or in arm chairs, chat around higher cocktail tables, or mingle. The ballroom is stunning – high ceilings, beautifully decorated and so many historic details.

Lindsay was our assigned coordinator. She assisted us throughout the planning process, offering suggestions, but also gave us the freedom to put our own touch on the evening. On the night of, Lindsay was with us from start to finish – never intrusive, but knowing our every need (often before we did!) and handling it.

When it was time to select our menu, we were invited to attend a menu tasting to sample options of all the courses and view different decorating options. Each table was set with different available linens, place settings, and centerpieces. Each of the florist and cake vendors provided samples of their work.

The hotel offered us a room block for our guests that reduced the cost of staying overnight. The front desk staff was wonderful, accommodating every need of each guest and providing thank you bags we had created upon check-in. Melissa was our hand-holder for all of our guest block needs, sending updated lists of guests and answering every question we came up with.

From start to finish, the Hawthorne Hotel was on point and our wedding was exactly what we dreamed it would be. Our guests are still raving over the wonderful time that they had. I cannot recommend this venue enough!

User1862268 Sent on 10/06/2014

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The Hawthorne Hotel catered our wedding this past September at the Peabody Essex Museum. Everything was absolutely perfect. Lindsay Otis is simply spectacular at her job. She is professional, kind and makes you wedding stress-free. Working with her was an absolute dream.

The food at our wedding was unbelievable. Our guests are still talking about how delicious it was! Everything was perfect. From the service, presentation and taste. Everyone at the Hawthorne Hotel, especially Lindsay Otis, went completely above and beyond to make our wedding day perfect. We honestly can't say enough good things about our experience.

Eileen Sent on 09/24/2014

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Everyone at the Hawthorne Hotel went out of their way to make sure my daughter's wedding was wonderful! I can't say enough about their competence and kindness. We are very happy we chose the Hawthorne for the wedding venue.

Shanna Sent on 04/22/2014

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Well organized and smooth running of a 150+ wedding. I was impressed by the courteous staff.

Debbie Sent on 01/03/2014

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You cannot go wrong at this historic hotel. It is absolutely beautiful and doesn't need a whole lot of extras. Our wedding was perfect and the December decorations really added to it-poinsetta tree, lighted wreaths, overlooking the commons which were also lit up. We were lucky enough to have snow on our wedding night too! The staff is highly experienced and made the day go smoothly.

Kar Sent on 08/12/2013

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Having our wedding at the Hawthorne was the best decision we made about our wedding (after the decision to get married, of course :). From the very beginning, I had 100% confidence that they'd take care of everything and that it would all go well - and it did. I loved knowing that they have done so many weddings that they really knew what they were doing, and I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. Though at the same time, I also never felt like we were just running through a "wedding mill". We got very personalized attention and without exception, everyone on staff was professional, reliable, and responsive. Our guests are still raving about how beautiful everything was, and how amazing the food was (it really, really was)! I had high expectations from the Hawthorne going into the wedding planning process, and they met and even exceeded them all.

User5829603 Sent on 01/16/2013

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We could not have been more happy with The Hawthorne Hotel as our wedding venue. We had both the reception and the ceremony indoors in the grand ballroom at the hotel. It did cost a bit extra in order for the staff to "flip" the room during cocktail hour so that it was ready for the reception, but it was worth every penny for the luxury of not having to drive all about between venues on or wedding day. The food was delicious and the "day-of event manager" kept everything running smoothly. We felt like royalty for one day. We would enthusiastically reccomend the Hawthorne Hotel.

Ron Sent on 11/21/2012

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The folks at the Hawthorne made my daughter's wedding perfect. The facility was well set, the cocktail hour was truly happy and the dinner and dance were flawless. All of this was because of our wedding coordinator who kept track of my daughter's every need.

Leanne Sent on 10/08/2012

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My husband and I couldn't be any happier with the Hawthorne Hotel. The grand ballroom was absolutely beautiful! It was the perfect place to hold the ceremony and reception. The food was AMAZING! Everything from the appetizers to the entrees were delicious.

Our wedding coordinator (provided by the hotel) helped make everything run so smoothly. Because of her I was actually able to fully enjoy my night and NOT be stressed it.

The Hawthorne created our dream wedding and we would highly recommend it to any future bride and groom!

Lana Sent on 06/01/2012

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Our wedding was at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA on May 12, 2012 and it was the picture perfect evening. The Hawthorne Hotel did all of our food and bar service at the museum. Lindsay Ottis the coordinator at the Hawthorne Hotel was amazing. She was so easy to work with and extremely professional and nice. By the time of my wedding I felt as though I was working with a friend, her personal attention to detail was impressive. Her entire staff, especially Elena and all the bar and wait staff were impeccable. The meal was delivered fast but with personal service that our guest have never encountered at a wedding. Not to mention that the food from the hors d'oeuvres to the entrees were delicious. Coupling the PEM with the Hawthorne Hotel's food and bar service was a winning combination. Both vendors work seamlessly together to put on a flawless event at the museum. I can not thank everyone enough that had a hand in making our day perfect! I highly recommend the Hawthorne Hotel, the food was literally the most delicious wedding food our guests have ever had and the service was hands down flawless!

Jennifer Sent on 04/07/2011

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The Hawthorne Hotel is an amazing facility! I love the historic charm and beauty of this place. It's one of my favorite places in Salem!

Our wedding planner was incredible!!! She went over and above what I ever expected. Our wedding was absolutely amazing!

And let me tell you about the food...to die for!!!!

Susan Sent on 10/11/2010

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If I could give The Hawthorne a 100 star review I would! Everyone and everything about the venue, service, food, ambiance, etc. was above and beyond any of my expectations!! they are accomodating to your every need and think of things that you don't! I did not hear one negative thing from any of my guests! I would definately use The Hawthorne for any future events I may need a venue for!!!

Stacey Sent on 06/26/2010

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The food was to die for, all of our friends keep complimening how excellent everything was at our wedding!

Tara Sent on 06/08/2010

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Ellegant, Amazing food, Beautiful surroundings and a cozy Bride & Groom suite.
I would suggest that anyone getting married consider the Hawthorne Hotel. Laura Abraham was amazing to work with. They helped to make our wedding day one to remember.

Melissa Sent on 03/28/2010

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Loved it here! Everything was taken care of for me! I just had to provide some information and they did the rest.

Karen Sent on 01/12/2010

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The Hawthorne Hotel was a beautiful and elegant setting for our wedding. Everyone was so helpful and the food was absolutely delicious even though it had to be held for more than an hour because we were running late.

Kate Sent on 12/29/2009

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We had a FANTASTIC wedding at the Hawthorne. They were very professional and flexible. I have absolutely no complaints. In fact, several people said it was the best wedding that they had ever been to.

Nicole Sent on 06/25/2009

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Quality of Service:
The whole team at the Hawthorne made our day perfect. Every interaction with their staff was a pleasure. They were very invested in enabling the wedding I was envisioning and they knew how to accomplish that. Their wedding packages are all inclusive, so there wasn't a lot of running around, trying to find other vendors. One stop shopping at its very best.

Responsiveness:
I am not a phone person, so I didn't call often. But I always received an email response within 24 hours.

Professionalism:
They are real pros. They do weddings there all the time, so they know the ropes from the engagement through the cake cutting and everything was very organized and run very smoothly. But their expertise NEVER made me feel like my wedding was unimportant. With me, they were always focused and excited.

Value for Cost:
We got married on a Friday night, so the wedding package was literally half of what it would have cost on a Saturday. And it included everything except photo & music. Cake, guest book, honeymoon suite, even centerpieces if I had chosen (no flowers though--I did get an outside vendor for that).

Flexibility:
I was amazed how willing they were to tailor the experience for me. At the tasting, I heard them doing the same for other couples as well. I have a serious allergy in my family and they were very accommodating. The day before the wedding, I handed over all my DIY stuff and they took care of arranging it for me.

Katie Sent on 05/14/2009

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All of the staff at the Hawthorne were extremely professional and helpful. I didn't worry about a thing from the moment I booked with them. Everything they needed from me to make the wedding a success was clear and in writing for me. they have packages that provide you with everything from flowers to linens to the limo. all very good pricing for MA. They were excellent from start to finish.

Wendy Sent on 11/23/2008

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I had a wonderful experience with the Hawthorne from start to finish! They really epitomized professionalism and sincerity throughout the entire process. Christine helped us with our wedding and she walked me through everything. When I mentioned an interest in getting married at the PEM library during my first meeting, she phone over to Nathalia to see if I could go over right then. When I showed her a picture of the cake I wanted, I later found out she had sent it to the bakery for me. I can not recommend her enough! Our wedding was beautiful, fun, and exciting. Our guests really enjoyed themselves, as did my husband and I.

Susan Sent on 08/26/2008

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The event coordinators at the Hawthorne Hotel are fantastic and they really took great care of us from the moment we signed with them to the moment we checked out of our honeymoon suite. We opted for a cocktail hour during our photo time, and our guests still mention how good the food was (we got married in 2004). The food testing was a lot of fun, and they offer some items that are not your traditional chicken, fish or beef. If you can imagine, it, they're happy to work with you to make it happen. We had a brunch reception in their "book room" on the bottom level of the hotel, and it was fantastic. The food was great and the room looked beautiful. The DJ we chose was on the list of vendors recommended by the hotel, and he did a fantastic job. The hotel itself is really warm and inviting. My husband and I go back every year for our anniversary and meet for tea with our wedding coordinator (we've become friends over the years).

Brooke Sent on 05/11/2007

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The staff at the Hawthorne Hotel was amazing! From the planning to the day of our reception, everything went very smoothly and we always felt they were on top of all the details. The venue is beautiful and they coordinated all of the food, including the cake, so we just had to snow up and enjoy ourselves. We had a great experience in every way!

Emily Sent on 05/01/2018

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The staff at The Hawthorne Hotel were helpful, kind, and accommodating. They were honest about the process, and seemed genuinely excited about our event. The execution on the day of our wedding was flawless. We are so glad we chose this historic and convenient venue.

Jennifer Sent on 04/23/2015

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YES YES YES! The Hawthorne Hotel was the absolutely perfect wedding venue for us. Not only is it beautiful, but the staff was amazing to work with. Extremely friendly and so accommodating especially with all of my questions and plethora of tiny requests. We knew the Hawthorne was perfect when we walked in the door. Then we met with the wedding coordinator and she told us about their packages and really helped us figure out our budget and areas we could adjust to help us stay in line. She was extremely responsive and answered all of our questions, and there were a LOT of them. The Hawthorne Hotel accommodated all of our food needs (vegetarian meals, gluten-free meals, and two regular meal choices). The food was OUTSTANDING! We're going back each year for our anniversary to eat up a great meal and celebrate. Another great feature to the Hawthorne Hotel is that it's a hotel. You can get a room block so that all of your guests can stay in one location without having to travel around. We had our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in the Grand Ballroom. It was so wonderful and it made the wedding a little bit more relaxed. Everyone was able to come in and get seated and have a couple drinks at their table as they waited for the night to begin. The setup of the room allowed everyone great seats for the ceremony and plenty of room for dancing afterwards. A special shot out to not only the coordinator but her team and the wait staff. They were so kind to all of our family and friends. And the coordinator onsite on the day of was so helpful and relaxed that she made us relaxed. She was fantastic with timing and helped us run everything smoothly. We felt so special that night. It was truly amazing! Waking up next day was a little overwhelming knowing that it was all over, BUT the coordinator brought up two extra slices of our wedding cake to our room and we gobbled that up for breakfast. Nothing like something sweet to start your day! Thank You Hawthorne Hotel!

User1274044 Sent on 07/09/2013

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I am so happy that I had my wedding at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. It provided a beautiful and natural setting for my romantic wedding. The commons right across the street provided us with a beautiful place for outdoor pictures. The ball room looked gorgeous with the natural lighting and candle light center pieces. I worked with Lindsay, a catering manager, and she was unbelievable! She made the entire process easy, comfortable and stress free. (I planned a wedding in less than 4 months!) I could not have better things to say about hosting a wedding at the HH. The only thing downside was that the HH does not let guest bring any alcohol on the premises and quiet hours are from 12:15-8:15! Hard to keep a rowdy wedding party quiet. I would have tried to stay at a less strict hotel for after the wedding- but it was still a blast!!

Kate Sent on 11/27/2012

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When my husband and I were first engaged, we had planned on a very small wedding. Once the guest list had been agreed upon, our very small wedding turned out to be about 85 people, and we needed to find a large enough venue to accommodate that many people without being huge. The Hawthorne Hotel is well-known for their ballroom weddings -- which are gorgeous! -- but we didn't have nor want 150-200 people at our wedding. The Hawthorne also books wedding receptions in their Nathanial's and Sophia's rooms (the restaurant area) which can hold up to 90 people. It was perfect for us: a 1920s hotel in a cozy but spacious venue with rich colors and crystal chandeliers! The food was amazing, and from hor d'oeurves to dessert no detail in the presentation was overlooked. The package we booked included the flowers, cake, and a few other odds and ends. Peter Barter Florist provided the table flowers, and everyone raved about them. Montilio's made our cake -- people loved it so much they took home pieces. Everyone on the staff amazed us, planners, day-of coordinators, wait staff, bartenders. My husband and I live 2 hours away from Salem currently, and because of my work and travel schedule, most of the correspondence was through email, and when I could get into town the were completely understanding of my hectic schedule. Everything was efficient and friendly, they are quite the professionals, and the entire affair was easy. Everyone wondered why I was so calm through the entire wedding planning process (I was finishing grad school, teaching a course, and planning a wedding), and it was due to the incredible staff at the Hawthorne and their vendors. So many people have said that this was the best wedding -- and the best party -- they have ever been to, and I would have to enthusiasticaly agree!

Elizabeth Sent on 02/15/2012

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We choose to get married in January and took advantage of the Hawthorne's great winter deals. Even though we chose a budget-friendly package, we didn't feel like were getting anything less than their normal brides and grooms. We didn't have to worry about a thing. The room is gorgeous, so very little decoration is needed. They provided everything and we couldn't have been happier. The hotel's overnight rooms were very nice as well.

My only small complaint...since we booked at an odd time, we missed out on a free tasting (I guess they bunch them together with other couples, which makes sense financially), so they said they would have to charge us $100 to do a tasting. So we booked based on the reviews other people made on their food. Luckily, everything turned out fine.

User2417737 Sent on 11/09/2015

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We got married at the Hawthorne Hotel at the beginning of May and would recommend it to anyone looking for a wedding venue. We had our ceremony in the ballroom, cocktail hour upstairs, and then reception back down in the ballroom (for our wedding of 150 guests). Before the wedding we coordinated with Karen and Christine, and then Liz led the way on our wedding day. Liz was fantastic at getting us through the day -- very organized and always with a smile on her face. Everything ran seamlessly. The service staff were all great, especially to the bride and groom but also to every guest. We got a lot of compliments on the food, which was delicious from the appetizers to the entree. The ballroom was an elegant venue for our celebration, and the complimentary guest suite for the bride and groom the night of the wedding (which I also paid for the night before so I could get ready with my bridal party there) made us feel special.

User1939848 Sent on 08/18/2015

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We used Hawthorne Catering for our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum in August of 2015. Hawthorne handled the catering and the bartending and we were so happy with our experience. The food is really good and we got a lot of compliments on the entrees, the dessert (those cappuccino bon bons really wowed everyone) and the variety at the cocktail hour. Lindsay and Christine were always quick to respond to my questions. Lindsay also gave us some great suggestions on food choices and decorations which allowed us to make our event more personalized while staying within our budget. Our day-of coordinator Cheryl was so calm and collected and kept everything running smoothly. Also PEM and Hawthorne work so well together and have a lot of practice coordinating all the aspects of weddings in that space. Finally, the other vendors that you have the option of working with through Hawthorne were all fantastic. I would wholeheartedly recommend Lindsay and her team. My family and I did not need to worry about anything the day of the wedding and we had a wonderful stay at the hotel as well.

Katy Sent on 10/05/2014

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The planning, hors d'oeuvres and dinner were so good. I made it a point to eat during my wedding. Also, the catering comes with a really easy package to include hotel rooms, transportation, flowers and cake... The Hawthorne also has a great staff that were very professional and accommodating. We also had a great time at our tasting!

User5829619 Sent on 05/22/2013

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We had our wedding reception at the Hawthorne Hotel in April 2013 and had a fantastic wedding. The ballroom was beautiful and their setup combined with flower and lighting vendor made event very special. Guests have commented it was the most elegant and classic wedding.

Our wedding package is now a grandfathered package and it included lots of options (cake, flowers, 1 hour full open bar for cocktail hour, limo, champagne toast, wine at dinner table, and more). It also included 5 passed and 2 stationary hors d'oeuvres (cheese and bruschetta) for cocktail hour and 5 food courses - salad, appetizer, entree, intermezzo (sorbet) and dessert for reception! That is a lot! What we liked the best was the flexibility in the package. You can remove unwanted items (we removed intermezzo and dessert - cake was enough we thought) to get money back and you can upgrade other items (we upgraded chairs and added late night snack - fries and tater tots!).

The food was all the rave. We had prime rib and stuffed chicken as our entree options (along with portabella mushrooms for vegan choice). The prime rib was beyond outstanding. It was incredibly large. Guests loved that the waiter would ask before serving how they liked it cooked (I assumed it was all cooked one way unless notified ahead of time). This allowed guest to enjoy the prime rib even more. People still tell us that it was the best prime rib they ever had!

In terms of organization, they are there the entire way to answer questions and help you. They have preferred vendors (but are not mandatory). We used Flowers by Darlene and Montillio's bakery for cake. Both are amazing. They also recommended All Star Uplighting for lighting which were amazing as well. We used friend for photographer. Midway through the process, our coordinator left the hotel and there was some transition to the new one so there was some confusion but it all went well. The day of event coordinator was superb and handled everything well.

User1126226 Sent on 04/04/2013

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We worked with Hawthorne Hotel to provide Catering Service at Peabody Essex Museum, the wedding venue of our daughter. We were very pleased with the quality of service, responsiveness, and professionalism exhibited by Lindsay Otis who worked with us to ensure everything was just right for the big day. As we were using an Indian caterer to provide food, there was the added complexity of seamlessly interfacing with yet another party. That was not a problem at all. Several guests mentioned that this was the best wedding they had ever attended, and we believe that the catering service was a significant factor in making it so.

Melissa Sent on 08/15/2011

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I thought my wedding was beautiful, well-organized, and affordable. The food was amazing, they allowed me to make as many changes as I wanted, and the staff was extremely accommodating and a pleasure to work with. The food was fantastic - and there was so much of it! There are also many beautiful locations nearby for pictures.

Jessica Sent on 07/20/2011

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The Hawthorne hotel provides an great package that includes food, flower centerpieces, cake, champage toast, and limo! They take a lot of stress away from you having to find specific vendors and line everything up correctly. The hotel is beautiful and the common is great for outdoor pictures!

Justin Sent on 02/02/2009

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We just had our wedding ceremony and reception at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA. Everything went great. The food was amazing, the service was great, and the room looked fantastic. The worked very closely with all of our vendors and the whole thing turned out perfect. We highly recommend them to anyone.

Courtney Sent on 12/08/2008

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We had a wonderful wedding at the Hawthorne. They coordinated many of the vendors and I did not have to worry about any details on the day of the wedding. The coordinator arrived and handled everything. It was the most amazing day and they handled everything!

Many people commented that it was the best wedding they have ever been to. I highly suggest looking at the Hawthorne for your reception site.

The only thing I would suggest is the hotel sells out soon and we could not get additional rooms under our block because it was sold out. Therefore try to see if you can get more than normal room block if you have a lot of out of state guests.

Mimi Sent on 04/16/2017

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I had my wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel this past October 2016 and I don't think we could have found a more perfect venue! The Grand Ballroom embodied the perfect setting for our classic, vintage style themed wedding while also providing all of our guests with the Salem experience during Halloween. Nothing can beat the pictures of our wedding party in the beautiful fall foliage on the common (even though it was raining!) that is just steps outside of the hotel. To add, the fact that every event during our wedding weekend was within walking distance of each other could not be more convenient for us and our guests (rehearsal dinner @ Finz, ceremony at Immaculate Conception Parish, reception at Hawthorne Hotel, and Salem downtown attractions).

The very first decision I made when I got engaged and began the planning process was that I was going to wear my 108 year old family heirloom wedding dress and I knew I wanted the venue to portray the elegance of this dress with a classic, vintage, and elegant setting. I had toured a few other locations in Boston, but knew I had found the perfect place the minute I walked into the Hawthorne Hotel and met with Karen O'Kane. The quaint historic building makes you feel like you stepped back in time with original furnishings and architecture that truly can't be replicated anywhere else combined with the extraordinary service the staff provided. Karen was super friendly and made the entire planning process more fun than stressful like I was anticipating.

Overall, I along with all of our guests had an incredible wedding weekend at the Hawthorne Hotel and I could not have asked for a more memorable experience that I will cherish forever! I can't wait to visit again for our 1 year anniversary celebration at the hotel this Fall!

Thank you Hawthorne Hotel for a wonderful wedding experience!
-Mimi & Arthur

Lindsay Sent on 10/09/2014

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We cannot say enough good things about the Hawthorne! It was such a great wedding venue. We decided early on that we wanted a venue that would take care of most of the coordination for us and the Hawthorne was the perfect choice! Their Saturday night prime time (summer months) package included so many things - centerpieces for tables, the cake, a limo (although we just took the $$ credit for that), open bar during cocktail hour (key!) and a lot more. Alaina was our coordinator and she was fabulous - answered all of our emails and questions promptly and provided informative timelines for when we needed to get stuff done. Liz was our day-of coordinator and she was wonderful as well! We had multiple meetings with Alaina throughout the process, but I met with Alaina and Liz a week ahead of time and gave them all of our "stuff" (decor, escort cards, card box etc) and outlined my vision with them. They definitely pulled it off! We received so many compliments on how lovely the Hawthorne was, how beautiful the ballroom (with those gorgeous tall ceilings!) was, and how professional and pulled together it all seemed.

There are so many perks to using the Hawthorne, but one of them is the tasting dinner they provided. The bride & groom + two guests can attend a dinner with other couples getting married soon and they go all out - a full buffet of almost everything you can request for the wedding, passed hor d'ourves, cocktails. The tables are all done in different styles with different centerpieces for inspiration, and your coordinator is there to answer any questions and guide you through their selections. The tasting was a wonderful night in and of itself!

I would recommend the Hawthorne to anyone. Compared to other Boston-area vennues it is very reasonably priced, and so much is included in the package. It is a beautiful historic hotel and the town of Salem provides an amazing backdrop for pictures. Our guests loved spending a long weekend in Salem!

User921643 Sent on 09/04/2012

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Had an amazing experience here at the Hawthorne. Everything you need is included in there wedding package, flowers, cake, limo, food, cocktail hour, room for th bride ang groom, it's a great value and takes a lot of stress out of planning when everything is through one place. Both Christine's were so helpful and Liz, the wedding coordinator for the evening was there whenever we needed her and directed us when we needed help. The hotel is gorgeous, staff is friendly and helpful. All of our guests have had nothing but nice things to say about their experience at the Hawthorne. One thing to keep in mind is the Hawthorne is an historic hotel and keeping with that the rooms can seem a little small when compared to newer built hotels.

Christina Sent on 05/28/2012

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We got married at the Hawthorne in April 2012. We had the ceremony in the grand ballroom, had the cocktail hour on the 2nd floor and had the reception again in the grand ballroom. Overall, I thought the Hawthorne was great. It was just what I wanted - everything in one location so no one had to travel, no transportation to worry about, no time to kill in between the ceremony and reception, a great historic location outside of Boston. For the most part everyone at the Hawthorne was very response to all kinds of questions, big or small. I usually had a response back within a few hours, although there were some times when I would have to email two or three times to get a response back. I was impressed when the Hawthorne contacted me to see if I wanted to set up a room block - no thinking on my part, they just called me up to see if I needed one. The food tasting was great and their vendor recommendation list was pretty good too. The wedding was beautiful and everyone said it was the best wedding they had ever been to. The food was fabulous and the wedding coordinator Liz was very nice. She generally seemed to be right there when you needed her and would disappear when you didn't need her. The only problem I had was an isolated incident that will probably not happen to most people. Apparently the hotel had experienced some water damage in February. 4 days before my wedding I got a call telling me that I had to move basically my entire hotel block to an entirely different hotel. Only immediate family and the bridal party were able to stay in the Hawthorne. It was extremely stressful, especially 4 days before getting married. The hotel had apparently expected the rooms to be renovated in time for my wedding and they "didn't know" that the rooms hadn't been completed it time, so they didn't contact me earlier. The good thing was that they comped the rooms for all the guests that had to move and paid for transportation to and from both hotels. I feel like they should have offered to compensate us, as the bride and groom, in some way but that was never offered to us. Maybe we should have asked, but to be honest I didn't even think of it at the time since I was so busy. I also wish they had contacted us further in advance that the water damage could be an issue, even if they didn't think it would affect us. I would rather know about these things in advance then have them brought up 4 days before the event! Overall, the Hawthorne was a great place to get married though.

Lesley Sent on 06/13/2018

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Our daughter and now son-in-law were married at the Hawthorne Hotel May 27, 2018. What a great place for a wedding. Karen O'Kane was amazing to work with. The day of the wedding we had so much attention. Everyone said the food was fantastic. I only give flexibility a poorer rating because although the wedding planning side was off the charts, the hotel room reservations were not great. There wasn't good coordination with the wedding planning side. Besides that, I loved the Hawthorne Hotel.

Nicole Sent on 05/09/2018

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The Hawthorne Hotel was a wonderful venue for my wedding. It was elegant and they took care of a lot of the prep for me!

Jolene Sent on 05/19/2015

4.4 out of 5 rating

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4.5 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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4.5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

Hawthorne was wonderful and we got sooo many compliments on he wedding---the food, service, everything! Lindsay was my main point of contact and was so organized! Flowers by Darlene and Cakes for Occassions are highly recommended as vendors that work very well with the Hawthorne!!

Gillian Sent on 11/16/2007

4.4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
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4.5 out of 5 rating
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4.5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

I loved getting Married at the Hawthorne Hotel. It was beautiful and the Staff could not have been more helpful. Everything went perfectly and i highly recommend the Hawthorne to people who want to get married in Northern Mass. Also the The Hawthorne is a Hotel, so all of my out of town guests were able to stay there and not have to worry about traveling.

User1337316 Sent on 09/19/2013

4.3 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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3.5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

We had our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum and used Hawthorne Catering. Lindsay was very easy to work with and responsive/professional. Our day of coordinator Jessica was also great. Overall the food is pretty good and they do a nice job. Would highly recommend doing your wedding at the Peabody Essex, and using Hawthorne to do the catering makes things very easy.

Erika Sent on 06/15/2013

4.3 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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4.5 out of 5 rating

This review is in two parts: for Hawthorne Catering, and for the other services provided by the Hawthorne as part of our catering package. First, the catering: we got married at the PEM and opted to use Hawthorne as our caterer. This was a great decision: Lindsay and Natalia (at the PEM) work together seamlessly, and the Hawthorne staff is adept at running events at the museum. We were honestly expecting standard wedding food (even after the tasting), but on the day of the wedding we were blown away by how delicious everything was. The sea bass with lobster risotto was better than what I've had in most restaurants, and we got rave reviews from guests. They were also really flexible with the package--for example, dinner was originally 4 courses, but we were able to swap the appetizer for an additional passed hors d'ouevre. The night of the wedding, the Hawthorne staff was just amazing in making sure that my husband and I were well taken care of and that everything ran smoothly.

We were less happy with the actual Hawthorne Hotel. They're pretty disorganized and inflexible; since my husband and I were not staying in the bridal suite that was part of our catering package, we let some friends stay there, and it took four phone calls from us for them to finally get it right. They also sent our makeup/hair artist to the wrong room to set up, setting us back 45 minutes on the day of the wedding, and a few other things that we'd arranged ahead of time didn't materialize. Given our frustrations with them, we were happy that we opted to have the majority of our guests stay elsewhere.

Jessica Sent on 08/26/2009

4.1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

We did stations and they worked out great. Took some negotiating to get things perfect, but they came through in the end and it was fabulous.

Erin Sent on 06/05/2025

4 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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3 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

Make sure you get the right wedding coordinator

We started out with wedding coordinator CM any questions or concerns were addressed. We were switched to another wedding coordinator (not by our choice) JM and boy either this person is in the wrong field or we were her first wedding ever but so many things went wrong or just were not what we had discussed with our prior wedding coordinator. We were missing items from our ceremony space and had to have the wedding party run around fixing the supposedly professional mistakes.

Steven Sent on 10/18/2016

4 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

Make sure to go to the tasting that they offer, the food is fabulous and it is a great event to see all different linens and food.

Suzanne Sent on 09/27/2010

4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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5 out of 5 rating
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3 out of 5 rating

While the Hawthorne had a set menu that we could select from for our package and we ran into a few rules for things that we couldn't do that we had come up with.When we made our appointment to see the room, there was an event going on and we couldn't even go inside. A few times when my husband and I emailed then to ask questions, instead of giving us a no, we didn't get a response unless we asked again. We were unable to try the food (but could go to the restaurant in the hotel to do so), which they have resolved now when they book your event, but not until closer to the day. When we got closer to the week of our wedding, the coordinator that we worked with and the staff that served us on our wedding day were very friendly and helpful. When I was getting a little stressed (we were an hour late to our appointment and was unable to bring everything we needed), she stayed calm and patient with both of us. She made time out of her schedule (amid three other events that night) to meet with us again and make sure we had everything again. The staff was quite quick and attentive. The coordinator was present, but didn't seem like she was hovering. She fixed a few things with grace and didn't call attention to them (our cake tower started leaning and she started plating our cupcakes to even it out and nobody noticed it wasn't on purpose).

Alana Sent on 08/23/2010

3.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
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3 out of 5 rating
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3 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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4.5 out of 5 rating

Well the planning went from bad to worse but everything worked out in the end.
First things first, If you get Lindsay as a planner - ask for someone else because she has no clue how to organize and won't give you correct information. But if you get Elizabeth (Lizzie) you are in the best care ever. Don't be afraid to contact Karen the director for any issues because she is great about working things out fairly. Just double check ALL details.

Overall the wedding went great and everything was gorgeous.

Annemarie Sent on 08/13/2012

3.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
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3 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating

Please note that this review is for the alcohol vendor services of Hawthorne Catering, not for Hawthorne Hotel itself.

We had our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum, which requires the use of Hawthorne Catering as their alcohol vendor. This was the ONLY vendor that we weren't allowed to choose and the ONLY vendor that we weren't happy with when our wedding was over. Email responsiveness was lacking on the part of Lindsay Otis, who we dealt with. We didn't feel like a priority in our meetings/interactions (i.e. emails) leading up to our wedding and in fact, we got the feeling that we were getting brushed off because they "do this every weekend." To make matters worse, Hawthorne Catering "misplaced" our full deposit for our wedding. They eventually found it, two days prior to our wedding. This is NOT something we should have had to deal with leading up to our wedding. With all this being said, our wedding went off without a hitch and the bartenders who were actually working the event were professional and courteous. However, the alcohol prices we were charged were more in line with downtown Boston prices and our bill was considerably more than we expected for our wedding, due to the high markup of drinks.

Hawthorne Hotel Reviews

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Hawthorne Hotel